Securing means for folding table and cabinet assemblages



Sept. 24, 1957 Filed June 29. 1955 P. BLINK SECURING MEANS FOR FOLDING TABLE AND CABINET ASSEMBLAGES 2 Sheets-Sheet l P. BLINK Sept. 24, 1957 SECURING MEANS FOR FOLDING TABLE AND CABINET ASSEMBLAGES Filed June 29, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a Illlll, l I l l l l I i l I I Il. l I l |||0 l l l l l l IV I l l l I I I 1|.

United States Patent Peter Blink, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Mitchell Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application .lune 29,1955, Serial No. 518,745

` 6 Claims. (Cl. 311-165) This invention relates to improvements in securing means for folding table and cabinet assemblages.

Relatively large and elongated folding tables and benches are customarily used in churches, schools and other meeting places where large gatherings take place. As the tables are used in outstretched, unfolded condition in rooms or auditoriums which serve other purposes, it is necessary, when the tables are not in use, thatthey be stored in out of the way folded or collapsed condition. Frequently, wall mounted cabinets are employed for this purpose and the present invention contemplates a wall mounted cabinet and folding table assemblage arranged so that the table may be collapsed or folded into its cabinet in a compact manner, together with means for releasably `securing the table in folded condition within its cabinet. A more specic object of the invention is to provide, in a folding table and cabinet assemblage, means automatically operative upon contact of one end of the v table with the cabinet Wall to engage said end portion of the table with a cabinet frame to permit the subsequent folding of the table into the cabinet, or projection of the table in outstretched condition from the cabinet, said means being manually operable to release the end portion of the table from the cabinet to permit its complete removal to any desired position.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a folding table and cabinet assemblage, complementary means on a lower end portion Iof the folded table and base portion of the cabinet for releasablyl maintaining the table in folded condition within the cabinet.

A further object of the invention'is to provide, in a folding table and cabinet assemblage, a yielding bolt projectible from one end of the table, in its folded condition, to engage a cabinet floor lug, there being means associated with the bolt and folding legs of the table to automatically retract the bolt when the table is in its outstretched condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a folding table and cabinet assemblage, means for engaging the upper end portion of the folded table within the cabinet to prevent it from accidentally falling forwardly, the table being so arranged that it will remain balanced and vstable as it is approaching its completely folded condition in being moved into and out of the cabinet.

A further object of the invention is to provide securing means for a folding table and cabinet assemblage which is susceptible of quick and easy operation by one person.

A further object of the invention is to provide securing means for a folding table and cabinet assemblage which is of very simple construction, which insures safe operation, which provides for a rigid and secure mounting of the table, which is compact, and which is well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved securing means for a folding table and cabinet assemblage, and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

lIn the accompanying drawings in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the folding table in its outstretched condition engaged at one end with a wall cabinet into which the table is adapted to fold and lock;

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view, slightly in perspective, of the table in its outstretched condition detached from its cabinet and showing the leg, brace and locking mech-v anisms carried by the under-surface of the table;

Figi` 3 is a fragmentary front view of a portion `of a wall of a room having mounted thereon a cabinet into which the folding table is collapsed and locked;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front view of the lower portion of the wall cabinet with the table folded and locked therein, with a portion of the forward section of the folded table and the cabinet rails broken away to show structural details; and v Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 6 6 ofFig. 3.

While the invention has been illustrated in connection with a folding table, it should be understood that elongated folding benches are customarily used with folding tables of the type under consideration, and such benches are equipped with supportingV and folding mechanisms similar to those disclosed in conection with the illustrated table, and the benches of similar construction may be collapsed into wall cabinets provided therefor in the same manner as is illustrated and described in connection with the table referred to herein. Consequently, the term table as used in the specification and claims is intended to be sufficiently broad to comprehend Various types of elongated foldable pieces of furniture.

Referring particularly to Figs. l, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings a vertical wall portion of a room is designated by the numeral 10 andk there may be anchored to any desired interior surface portion of the wall a frame-like cabinet comprising spaced-apart uprights 11 connected at their upper and lower ends by transverse rails 12 and an intermediate transverse brace 12. The top rail 12 has an overhanging slightly anged canopy 13. As will appear from Figs. l, 3, 4 and 5, the inner faces of the uprights l1 are formed throughout their length with grooves 14 for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

A folding table, bench, or other elongated article of furniture is designated generally by the numeral 15 and the same comprises a pair of table top sections 16 and 17 hingedly connected together at their abutting inner ends, as by hinged plates 18 best shown in Fig. 2 positioned so that the table top sections 16 and 17' may be folded from the outstretched condition of Fig. 1 to a collapsed condition with the inner faces of the table top sections in juxtaposition and confining therebetween thc collapsible leg and brace mechanisms which will be referred to, all as is shown in Fig. 6. It should also be observed that the table top section 16 which becomes the forward or outer section when the table is collapsed into the cabinet, as in Figs. 3 and 4, is slightly longer than the table top section 17 for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

For supporting the table 15 in its outstretched condition for use, each top section, near its outer end, has journaled on its undersurface a transverse shaft 19 from which extend the elements 20 of a leg structure 21. The outer extremities of each leg structure `carry casters or wheels 21. The leg structure 21 of the `table top section 17 has pivotally secured thereto one end of an elongated rod 22, while the leg structure 21 of the table top section 16 has pivotally connected thereto the outer end of a similar rod 23. The inner ends of the rods 22 and 23 are pivotally connected to brackets 24 and 25 respectively carried by the undersurface portions of the table 3 top sections 16 and 17 respectively, adjacent their hinged inner ends. Thus, a folding movement of one of the table sections toward the inner faceof the other is effective, `through the rods 22 and` 23,`because of the revoluble mounting of the transverse rods 19, to project the leg structures 20--21 from their normal perpendicular supporting positions of Fig. l toward the outer ends of their respective top sections and atly against their inner surfaces thereof, as in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. vFor the support of the hingedly connected inner end portions of the table top sections 16 and 17 foldable intermediate legs 26 are provided which, because of swinging link connections 27 with a transverse revoluble shaft 28 on the undersurfacc of the table top 16, are adapted to be folded from the vertical supporting position of Fig. l to the collapsed position between the folded table top sections, as shown in Fig. 3. The outer extremities of the intermediate legs 26 carry casters or wheels 26'.

The undersurface of the outer end portion of one of the table top sections, as the section 17, has pivotally mounted thereon, intermediate its side edges, an oscillatory crank plate 29 having a handle 29. Pivotally secured to diametrically opposed edge portions of the crank plate 29 are the inner end portions of a pair `of oppositely directed reciprocatory latching bars 30.` The outer end portion of each of the latching bars 30 is reduced and rounded to form a latch bolt portion 31. The latch bolt portions 31 are reciprocatable inwardly and outwardly relative to apertures provided therefor in the side rails 32. underlying the table top sections y17. It will be noted that one of the latching bars 30 has rigidly aixed thereto, at right angles, the shank portion of an operating bumper 40 which, in the retracted position of the latching bars 30, projects slightly beyond the outer end portion of the table sections 17. Normally the oscillatory crank plate 29 and the attached bars 30 are maintained in the retracted position of Fig.-2, and a coiled spring 41 is extended between one of the bars V30 and a supporting plate on the undersurface of the plate 17 to aid movement of the bars 30. When the outstretched table has the outer end portion of the table top section 17 directed into the i the outer end of the table sections 17 with the vertically grooved uprights 11 of the cabinet structure. This latched relationship is shownin Fig. l, and Fig. also shows the position of the crank plate and latching bars when the same are projected to engage the rail grooves 14. If the handle portion 29 of the crank plate Z9 is manually engaged and moved from the position of Fig. 5 to the position of Fig. 2, the'latching bars 30 will have their end portions 31 retracted and released from the grooves of the rails 11 which will permit detachment of the table from the cabinet.

When the end of the table section 17 is latched into the grooves of the cabinet rails 11, the table may be folded from the outstretched condition of Fig. 1 to the collapsed position of Fig.,3 with. the latch bolts 31 riding vertically in the rail grooves 14, andthe legs and braces will collapse between the folded table sections as previously explained. During the collapsing of the latched table the engaged end of the section 17 will ride downwardly in the grooves`14 until the position of Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 is attained in which position both table top sections are folded upon each other, with the leg and brace members compactly positioned therebetween, and the collapsedtable thus occupies an upright position within the cabinet structure.

As was previously mentioned, the outermost section 16 of the folded table is slightly longer than the inner section 17. When the section 16 approaches a'true vertical position either in being collapsed into the cabinet or removed therefrom, it is apt to undesirably shift forwardly from its vertical position if means are not employed to prevent this contingency. However, due to the fact that the section 16 is slightly longer than the section 17, as it is being moved to and from vertical, the lthen upper end of the section 16 will pass under the cabinet top canopy 13, and in assuming the true vertical position the rollers 21' of the front section 16 will engage the base of the cabinet and project the upper edge of the section 16 into a position rearwardly of the canopy 13 as is shown in Fig. 4, and due to the fact that the inner section 17 is slightly shorter, the rollers 21 on its leg structure 21 will be elevated slightly above the lloor. Thus the table cannot accidentally fall forwardly from its collapsed vertical position onto a person standing adjacent the cabinet. When it is desired to unfold and remove the table as soon as the front section 16 is forwardly inclined slightly, the rollers 21 on the leg structure of the inner section 17 will lower onto the floor and aid in the support of the table and also permit the upper end of the section 16 to move free of the depending canopy 13.

Additional means are also employed to releasably hold the table in its folded condition within the cabinet. As is shown in `Figs. `2 and 6, lthe undersurfacc of the outer i end portion o f the table section 16 intermediate its side edges, carries a bearing plate 33 on which is longitudinally reciprocatably mounted a bolt 34. Adjustably connected to the inner end portion of the bolt 34 is an operating rod 35 including in its extent a spring portion 35'. The inner end portion of the operating connection 35-35 is connected to a portion of the adjacent leg structure 20. When said leg structure 20 for the table section 16 is in its normal unfolded supporting position, as in Figs. l and 2, -a pull will be imposed on the operation lconnection 35-35 sufficient to hold the bolt 34 in a position of retraction, wherein it does notl project beyond the outer end of the table section `16 and hence, under suclrconditions, the bolt does not form an objectionable protuberance. structure 20 is collapsed against the inner surface of the table section 16, the operating connection 35 will cause the -bolt 34 to be yieldingly projected beyond the outer end portion of the table section A16. This position attains when the table sections are approaching their vertical position. When Abeing folded into the cabinet and during the movement of the table section 16 toward vertical, the projecting bolt 34 will snap into vthe shouldered portion of a lug plate 36 mounted on the floor or base portion of the cabinet. Whenl it is desired to release the folding table from the cabinet, an upward pull on the operating connection 35 will retract the bolt from the lug plate 36 and permit the lower end portion of the table section 16 to be angled forwardly and out of the cabinet.

When the table is folded as described, and housed within the cabinet structure, the table top section 16 forms a complete closure for the open front of the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 3. As so positioned, the upper end of the section 16 is held against dislodgment by the overhanging canopy 13 and the lower end of the section 16 is held in position bythe projected bolt 34.

When it is `desired to release the table land to unfold it relative to the cabinet structure, it is only necessary to raise and release-the bolt 34. Then, by angling the front section of the table V16 `forwardly on the leg rollers 21', the upper end of the section 16 will drop free of the canopy 13 and the inner section 17 ofthe table will lower to a position wherein the rollers 21 of its leg structure contact the tlooi. Further movement of the front section of the table will move it outwardly of the cabinet toward unfolded position with the latch bolts 31 riding in the rail grooves 14 until the position of Fig. l is attained. As the leg structure 20--21 of the front section lireaches However, when the table is folded and said leg` its perpendicular position, the bolt 34 will be held in a retracted position so as not to project beyond the front edge of the table section 16. Then, if it is desired to completely disengage the table from the cabinet, a movement of the handle 29' on the crank plate 29 will be effective to retract the latch bolts 31 from the cabinet grooves 14 and the table may be rolled out to any desired position free of the cabinet.

The improved securing means for folding table and cabinet assemblages insures the securement of the table in folded condition within a cabinet, and retraction or projection of the bolt 34 is automatically effected through folding or unfolding of the adjacent leg structure -21. Also, the bumper 40, upon contact with the cabinet wall automatically projects the latch bolts 31 into the cabinet grooves. The assemblage eliminates hazards and is well adapted for the purposes described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. In a cabinet and folding table assemblage wherein the cabinet is formed with an open face having upright rails along the side margins of said face with the faces of said rails adjacent the open face of the cabinet being grooved, and the table being medially foldable upon itself with an inner end portion thereof removably extended into the cabinet through the open face of the cabinet; the improvement comprising, projectable means operatively carried by said inner end portion of the table; and an operating member connected to said projectable means automatically operable through contact with a portion of the cabinet for releasably engaging said projectable means with the cabinet rail grooves whereby the table may be folded upon itself into the cabinet with the extended end portion of the table moving longitudinally of the cabinet rails while engaged therewith.

2. In a cabinet and folding table assemblage wherein the cabinet is formed with an open face having upright rails along the side margins of said face with the faces of said rails adjacent the open face of the cabinet being grooved, and the table being medially foldable upon itself with an inner end portion thereof extended into the cabinet through the open face of the cabinet; the improvement comprising, projectable and retractable means operatively mounted transversely of said inner end portion of the table; an operating mem'ber connected to said projectable and retractable means automatically operable through contact with a portion of the cabinet for projecting said means into engagement with the cabinet rail grooves whereby the table may be folded upon itself into the cabinet, and a manually operated member connected with said means for retracting them to disengage the table from the cabinet grooves.

3. In a cabinet and folding table assemblage wherein the cabinet is formed with an open face having upright rails along the side margins of said lface, and the table being medially foldable upon itself with an inner end portion thereof extended into the cabinet through the open face of the cabinet; the improvement comprising, projectable means operatively carried by said inner end portion of the table to project laterally of each side margin thereof; a bumper connected to said projectable means and projecting longitudinally of the inner end of the table for contact with a portion of the cabinet to project said projectable means into engagement with the cabinet rails for folding the table upon itself into the cabinet in partially secured condition; and holt means car ried by the outer end of the table for releasably securing the bottom portion of the folded ta'ble within the cabinet.

4. In a cabinet and folding table assemblage wherein the cabinet is formed with an open face having upright rails along the side margins of said face with the faces of said rails adjacent the open face of the cabinet being grooved, and the table carrying foldable legs and being medially foldable upon itself with an inner end portion thereof extended into the cabinet through the open face of the cabinet; the improvement comprising, projectable means operatively carried by said inner end portion of the table; a bumper connected to said projectable means and contactable with a portion of the cabinet to project said projectable means into engagement with the cabinet rail grooves whereby the table may be folded upon itself into the cabinet and retained therein at one end by said projectable means a reciprocatable bolt carried by the other end of the table for releasably securing the bottom portion of the folded table within the cabinet after movement of said projectable means in said grooves and folding of the table; and means operatively extended between said bolt and certain of the table legs whereby folding and unfolding movement of the legs during folding and unfolding of the table relative to the cabinet causes extension and retraction of said bolt.

5. In a cabinet and folding table assemblage wherein the cabinet is formed with an open face with upright rails along the side margins of said face with the faces of said rails adjacent the open face of the cabinet being grooved, and the table being medially foldable upon itself with an inner end portion thereof movably extended into the cabinet through the open face of the cabinet; the improvement comprising, jointly operating latching bars operatively carried by said inner end portion of the table to extend transversely of the side margins thereof; a bumper connected to said latching bars and projecting longitudinally adjacent said inner end portion of the table and operable through contact with a Wall portion of the cabinet for extending said bars into the cabinet rail grooves to ride vertically therein whereby the table for folding movements of the table relative to the cabinet; and a lever for disengaging the latching bars from the rail grooves to permit complete disengagement of the table from the cabinet.

6. In a cabinet and two-section folding table assemblage wherein the cabinet is formed with an open face with a canopy overhanging the upper margin of the open face, and the table carrying foldable legs which fold against the lnner faces of the table sections and project from the outer ends thereof when the table sections are folded upon themselves and into the cabinet; the improvement comprising, projectable means operatively carried by an inner end portion of the table and vertically slidably engageable with side portions of the cabinet whereby the table may be folded upon itself vertically into the cabinet; with the upper end of the folded table moving into the upper end of said cabinet rearwardly of the canopy, the section of the table which is forward-most when the table is folded being slightly longer than the other section of the table.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,272,983 Menzo July 16, 1918 1,828,780 Knight Oct. 27, 1931 2,521,547 Simonowitz Sept. 5, 1950 2,546,323 Taylor Mar. 27, 1951 2,619,395 Kent Nov. 25, 1952 2,650,146 Mugler Aug. 25, 1953 2,721,778 Wilson Oct. 25, 1955 2,723,890 Erickson Nov. 15, 1955 2,766,089 Nielsen Oct. 9, 1956 2,777,742 Schieber Jan. 15, 1957 

